Lt C Dilna K & Lt C Roopa A at Point Nemo

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Indian Navy Women officers embark on historic Global circumnavigation mission

Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A are officers in the Indian Navy who have undertaken a significant maritime mission aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. As part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, they are circumnavigating the globe to demonstrate India's maritime capabilities and promote gender equality. On January 31, 2025, they achieved a remarkable milestone by crossing Point Nemo, the oceanic pole of inaccessibility and the most remote location on Earth.

Lieutenant Commander Dilna K

Hails from Kozhikode

Joined the Navy as a logistics officer in 2014

Is an ace shooter; has won several medals in national championships

Big enthusiast of cricket; has represented the Kerala state team

Marched on Kartavya Path as part of the 66th Republic Day Parade

Her father, the late Devadasan, was an Army officer

Lieutenant Commander Roopa A

Hails from Puducherry

Joined the naval armament inspection cadre in 2017

This aeronautical engineering graduate has had a stint with National Aerospace Laboratories, Bengaluru

Her father, Alagirisamy GP, is a former Air Force officer

Accolade: Dilna and Roopa won the Admiral Ramdas Trophy, instituted by the Yachting Association of India, last year.

INSV Tarini

INSV Tarini is a sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, named after the Tara Tarini temple in Odisha, symbolizing the empowerment of women. The vessel has been instrumental in promoting ocean sailing and has previously been used for similar circumnavigation missions.

Point Nemo

Point Nemo, located at approximately 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W in the South Pacific Ocean, is the point on Earth farthest from any landmass, making it the oceanic pole of inaccessibility. Its name, derived from Latin meaning "no one," reflects its extreme isolation. Interestingly, the closest humans to this point are often astronauts aboard the International Space Station when it passes overhead.

Navika Sagar Parikrama Series

https://youtu.be/eRyTcCHTKbA

The Navika Sagar Parikrama is an initiative by the Indian Navy to promote ocean sailing and showcase the strength of women officers. The inaugural expedition in 2017 featured an all-women crew circumnavigating the globe. The current mission, Navika Sagar Parikrama II, is unique as it is being conducted in a double-handed mode, with only two officers managing the entire voyage.

Navika Sagar Parikrama 1 (2017-2018) – India's First All-Women Circumnavigation of the Globe

Navika Sagar Parikrama was a historic maritime expedition undertaken by an all-women crew of the Indian Navy, marking India's first all-female circumnavigation of the globe. The mission was aimed at promoting gender equality and showcasing India's growing maritime capabilities.

 Navika Sagar Parikrama 1

  • Launch Date: September 10, 2017
  • Completion Date: May 21, 2018
  • Duration: 254 days
  • Vessel Used: INSV Tarini
  • Total Distance Covered: 21,600 nautical miles
  • Number of Stops: 5
  • Mode of Sailing: Non-assisted, covering all major oceans of the world

The Crew Members

The mission was led by an all-women team of six naval officers:

  1. Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi (Skipper/Commander of the Vessel)
  2. Lieutenant Commander Pratibha Jamwal
  3. Lieutenant Commander Swati P
  4. Lieutenant Aishwarya Boddapati
  5. Lieutenant S Vijaya Devi
  6. Lieutenant Payal Gupta

These officers were selected from various branches of the Navy and trained extensively for the mission.

Route and Major Stopovers

The team followed a Westward Circumnavigation Route, crossing the three major capes:

  • Cape Leeuwin (Australia)
  • Cape Horn (South America)
  • Cape of Good Hope (Africa)

The major stopovers included:

  1. Fremantle (Australia)
  2. Lyttelton (New Zealand)
  3. Port Stanley (Falkland Islands)
  4. Cape Town (South Africa)
  5. Mauritius

The mission followed the stringent requirements of the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) and included crossing the equator twice.

Navika Sagar Parikrama II Mission

The Navika Sagar Parikrama II is an ambitious initiative by the Indian Navy to circumnavigate the globe, showcasing India's maritime heritage and promoting women's empowerment. Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A embarked on this mission to inspire future generations and highlight the capabilities of women in challenging maritime roles.

Their successful crossing of Point Nemo marks a significant achievement in their journey, underscoring their determination and the Indian Navy's commitment to excellence.

Key Details:

  • Launch Date: October 2, 2024

  • Vessel: INSV Tarini

  • Crew: Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K

  • Mission Objective: To promote ocean sailing and showcase the strength of women officers in the Indian Navy

Route and Progress:

The expedition is planned to cover over 21,600 nautical miles, divided into five segments, with stopovers at four ports for maintenance and replenishment. The journey includes sailing from Goa to Fremantle (Australia), proceeding to Lyttelton (New Zealand), then to Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), followed by Cape Town (South Africa), before returning to Goa.

As of November 24, 2024, INSV Tarini departed from Fremantle, Australia, embarking on the second leg of the circumnavigation towards Lyttelton, New Zealand.

Challenges and Experiences

Embarking on such a voyage presents numerous challenges:

  • Isolation: Sailing for extended periods without external support requires mental fortitude.
  • Weather Conditions: Navigating through unpredictable and often harsh weather necessitates advanced seamanship.
  • Technical Issues: Managing and repairing equipment malfunctions while at sea tests their technical skills.
  • Physical Demands: The physical toll of constant vigilance and manual operations is significant.

Despite these challenges, both officers have showcased exceptional resilience and adaptability, successfully completing significant legs of their journey.

Training Overview:

Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A of the Indian Navy have undergone extensive training to prepare for their circumnavigation mission aboard INSV Tarini. Their preparation has been both rigorous and comprehensive, ensuring they are well-equipped for the challenges of a global sailing expedition.

  • Duration and Location: The officers have been training for over three years at the Ocean Sailing Node in Goa.
  • Sailing Experience: They began with smaller boats to grasp the fundamentals of sailing and progressively transitioned to larger sailboats, enhancing their skills and understanding of complex sailing dynamics.
  • Trans-Oceanic Expeditions: As part of a six-member crew, they participated in a trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back, sailing for an impressive 188 days on the INSV Tarini. This journey provided them with invaluable experience in long-duration sailing and exposed them to diverse maritime conditions.
  • Dual-Handed Sailing: The duo undertook multiple dual-handed expeditions, including voyages from Goa to Port Blair and back, as well as from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius. These missions honed their ability to manage the vessel with minimal crew, emphasizing teamwork and self-reliance.

Mentorship:

Their training was significantly enhanced under the mentorship of Commander Abhilash Tomy (Retd.), a renowned circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race hero. Commander Tomy's firsthand experiences and insights into solo circumnavigation provided the officers with practical knowledge and mental preparedness essential for their mission.

Skills Acquired:

  • Technical Proficiency: Through their training, they developed advanced sailing skills, including navigation, sail management, and emergency procedures.
  • Mental Resilience: Extended periods at sea require significant mental endurance. Their training emphasized psychological preparedness, teaching them strategies to cope with isolation and the stresses of long voyages.
  • Physical Fitness: The physical demands of managing a sailing vessel necessitated rigorous fitness routines to ensure they could handle the strenuous tasks aboard.

This comprehensive training regimen has equipped Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A with the necessary skills and resilience to undertake their circumnavigation mission, reflecting the Indian Navy's commitment to excellence and gender equality in maritime endeavors.

 

 

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